Colonization by macroinvertebrates of experimentally disturbed stones in three tropical streams differing in size

Author(s)

Melo, Adriano Sanches ^[1] ; Froehlich, Claudio Gilberto ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Review of Hydrobiology; v. 89, n. 3, p. 317-325, July 2004.
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology

Abstract

We experimentally disturbed stones in three streams of different sizes and followed the macroinvertebrate colonization process in terms of abundance, species richness and similarity over 64 days. We hypothesized that colonization in the smallest and in the largest streams would be slower than in the mediumsized stream. The small upstream pool of colonists available in the smallest stream could restrict colonization, while in the largest stream predation by the diverse fish assemblage could restrict drifting colonists. The medium-sized stream did not have these two constraints. We found similar colonization patterns in all three streams, leading to the rejection of the stated hypotheses. Lack of support of the original hypothesis might be due to the weakness of the two hypothesized restrictions on colonization. In addition, colonization by crawling species from undisturbed nearby patches might be of significant importance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 02/12538-0 - Spatial components of the diversity of aquatic insects in streams of the Atlantic Rainforest in the State of São Paulo
• Grantee: Adriano Sanches Melo
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 98/05073-4 - Survey and biology of freshwater crustaceans, insects and mollusks in the state of São Paulo
• Grantee: Claudio Gilberto Froehlich
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants